Memorial Day in US Virgin Islands ― Date, History, and Details
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Let's dive deeper into learning more about the history of Memorial Day in US Virgin Islands and why people celebrate or observe it.
History of Memorial Day in US Virgin Islands and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
Memorial Day is a national holiday in the United States Virgin Islands, observed on the last Monday in May. Memorial Day honors those who have died in service to the United States, and is traditionally a day of remembrance and mourning.
The Virgin Islands were originally inhabited by the Ciboney, Carib, and Arawak peoples. The first Europeans to settle the islands were the Spanish, who established colonies on Saint Croix and Puerto Rico. The Dutch settled on Saint John in 1672, and the British settled on Tortola in 1666.
The Virgin Islands were acquired by the United States from Denmark in 1917. During World War I, many Virgin Islanders served in the US Army, and several thousand more served in the Navy. The most famous Virgin Islander to serve in World War I was Major General George W. Goethals, who oversaw the construction of the Panama Canal.
After the war, the Virgin Islands were administered by the US Navy. In 1931, the US Congress established the Virgin Islands National Park, which encompassed about two-thirds of Saint John. Memorial Day was first observed in the Virgin Islands in 1934.
Today, the Virgin Islands are home to a large number of US military veterans. The most famous Virgin Islander to have served in the US military is General Colin Powell, who was born on Saint Croix.